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In memory of
Michael William Gillett
July 26, 1955 - February 7, 2020
Jul 26, 1955 - Feb 7, 2020
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Michael's obituary
July 26, 1955 – February 7, 2020
Michael (Mike) passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 7, 2020, at 64 years of age after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He spent his final days surrounded by family and friends.
Born to William O’Leary (late) and Antonia Gillett (nee Hutton) of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and subsequently adopted by Geoffrey Gillett (late).
Husband of Heather Gillett and loving father to Lauren Gillett Clarke (Ben) and Patrick Gillett. Adoring grandfather to Julian Clarke.
Cherished brother of Moya, Sheila, and Sean Gillett (Linda), Elizabeth Frederick (Stephen).
Uncle to Keelin Caswell (Paul), Michaela Bosworth (Tim), Pippa Morrison (Daniel), Sara and Connor Gillett, Shannon and Noel Frederick. Great uncle to Clarabelle and Ewan Caswell, William and Benjamin Bosworth.
Michael leaves behind a large extended family and many good friends.
Michael was known for his intense intellectualism, creativity, charm and love of people. He graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax with a degree in Linguistics in 1977, then moved back to Toronto and started working for the Toronto Star. He later went on to sell restaurant supplies and graphic display products, and started three companies: Graphic Access Systems, Plax Plus and Plax Too. He was a fantastic salesman!
Outside of work he had many hobbies, including cartooning, painting, writing, sailing, hockey, playing cards and snooker. He was skilled at fixing things, tinkering with cars and making his own furniture, which he jokingly branded as “Mikea.” Michael was a ferocious reader, lover of language and an endless encyclopedia of facts. He often whipped through a cryptic crossword before he was finished his first cup of morning coffee.
Although Michael called Toronto home for the better part of his life, his heart truly belonged to Newfoundland. He never left his roots behind or his love of a party, b’y.
Those of us close to him know he was rock ‘n’ rolling to the very end.
Michael will be greatly missed. We will plan a celebration of life in the late spring or early summer. Details to come.
Memorial donations to Fred Victor, a social service charitable organization that fosters long-lasting and positive change in the lives of homeless and low- income people living across Toronto, are appreciated in lieu of flowers.
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Created with love by
Lauren Gillett.
